Chaos Space

Book 2: Sentients of Orion Series

As her home planet of Araldis burns following an invasion, Mira Fedor has fled to the nearest Orion League planet seeking aid for her devastated world. But the authorities turn a blind eye, appearing more interested in stealing her bio-ship, Insignia.

It is not the only mystery she faces, as she discovers an initiative called Tekton takes extreme measures in acquiring a rare mineral alloy. What has that to do with the destruction of Araldis, or for that sake, the Stain Wars?

The truth is bigger than even Mira can fathom, as it begs the larger question: is there a Sole Entity out there in the universe, guiding their every move…?

Awards

2008 Aurealis Awards shortlist for Best Science Fiction Novel

British Fantasy Award 2008 longlist

Reviews

There’s a nice sense of Iain M Banks and Peter F Hamilton here, something that I’m fairly sure is intentional. The political machinations reminded me a little of CJ Cherryh’s work. However, the strength here is the way that Marianne tells her tale without becoming bogged down by the myriad background details. Most pleasingly, the sense of wonder expected (or at least expected by me after Book 1!) does not disappoint and leaves the reader anticipating the next book in the series. …Luscious, luscious…”

— SFF World

“…gorgeous twists…dazzling set pieces that leave you breathless for more…”

— 4.5/5 – Terra Incognita

“The Sentients of Orion promises to be an outstanding space opera series. I can’t see it being a trilogy, unless the third brings the various threads together and wraps them up in a nice little bow very, very quickly. While I like the idea of finding out just where de Pierres is going with everything, a fast wrap-up would be a disappointment, and utterly out of character. Much as it pains me to say it, I hope this goes to at least four books, so that all of the main characters get to be fully explored, the background coloured in with greater detail, and the climax reached with the mighty crescendo it so richly deserves.”

— Alex Pierce at Asif

“In this second instalment in the series “The Sentients of Orion” Marianne de Pierres has really come into her stride. Chaos Space neatly follows on from the first in the series, Dark Space, and de Pierres ups the pace somewhat to expand the narrative into a true space opera that has some unique quirks — and features the intelligent use of extrapolation of both ideas and technology, sometimes into the truly bizarre.”

— AntiSf

“De Pierres is one of the best lady SF writers around at the moment, and Fedor is a character to die for. I really loved this.”

— Books Monthly

“Overall the story takes a good turn, following effectively through from the events in Dark Space and bringing some more elements into play, just like any good space opera should. With two books still to come there are endless possibilities on where the direction of the series will go, and I’ll be looking forward to finding out where that will be. Marianne has taken a huge step towards creating a must-read series with Chaos Space and a great multi-layered space opera. Wonderful stuff!”

— Overall rating: 8.5/10 – Walker of the Worlds

“With a galactic scale and two human oriented civilisations in opposition, this promised to be a space opera of the sort I have not seen since C. J. Cherryh and her Alliance-Union Universe series of books. I was not to be disappointed. The author has indeed culled many of the best aspects of the science fiction genre, from political intrigue, to the exploration of several philosophies including Jainism, to impressive space and land battles between human and alien opponents, and even some very fascinating applications of technology; this book has it all.”

— Book Bag

“Chaos Space is a fine novel in its own right with plenty to enjoy, but as a series the Sentients of Orion has huge scope and promise. With more questions raised again by the end of this one it can firmly take its place up there with the better series of recent years. Highly recommended.”

— The Book Depository

“Deft use of language in an expansive world that draws the reader along, like a classical song tantilises the senses with memories of the good old days. So all is not lost.”

— Rob Stephenson, Aurealis Express

“This second novel is Space Opera at its best. The complexity of the sub plots intertwining throughout the course of the novel creates an exciting and well paced storyline that keeps the reader thinking … This book is full of the wit and action that we’ve come to expect from de Pierres and is definitely worth reading.”